Chinese wolfberries play an important role in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) where the small red berries are believed to improve vision and promote the body's blood circulation among other beneficial effects. Sold dried, Chinese wolfberries are sweet and can be eaten raw or cooked, just as with raisins.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• Barley - 1 Tbsp
• Lotus seeds - 20
• Chinese wolfberries - 1 Tbsp, soaked
• Black truffle slices

• Morel Consomme

• Dried morels - 100g (3 1/2 oz), soaked overnight and rinsed
• Minced chicken - 100g (3 1/2 oz)
• Egg white - 1
• Egg shell - 1, crushed
• Celery - 30g (1 oz)
• Carrot - 30g (1 oz), peeled and minced
• Bay leaf - 1
• Ground white pepper - 1/4 tsp
• Chicken consomme - 1 litre (32 fl oz / 4 cups)
• Salt - 1/4/ tsp

Method

1. Combine all the ingredients for the morel consomme, except the salt, in a pot and simmer, covered, for 3 hours. Strain the consomme through a muslin cloth, being careful not to agitate the solids or the consomme will become cloudy. Season the consomme to taste with salt and leave to cool slightly before refrigerating it for 3-4 hours.
2. Sift through the strained solids from the consomme and pick out the morels. Discard all the other ingredients. Refrigerate the morels.
3. Prepare the barley. Bring a pot of water to the boil. Add the barley and cook for 20 minutes, or until the barley is cooked and tender. Drain and refrigerate the barley.
4. Prepare the lotus seeds. Wash the lotus seeds and place them in a pot. Add enough hot water to cover the lotus seeds, then cover and steam them for 20 minutes, or until the seeds are tender. Using a toothpick, push the bitter shoots in the centre of the lotus seeds out to remove them. Refrigerate the seeds.
5. When all the ingredients are sufficiently chilled, spoon some consomme into a tall serving glass. Add some wolfberries, barley, truffle slices and lotus seeds, separating each ingredient with a layer of consomme. Repeat to make 4 servings. Garnish as desired and serve chilled.